Boynton Voters Set Priorities On Improvements

March 14, 1985|By David Gibson, Staff Writer

BOYNTON BEACH — The failure of two of six bond referendums Tuesday was not a big surprise to many observers, who say the vote reflected residents` priorities for the proposed comprehensive Capital Improvement Program.

Voters rejected proposals calling for the issuance of $3.5 million in general obligation bonds to pay for a new civic center and for $2.15 million for a package of recreation improvements.

Voters approved four bond issue proposals totaling $6.35 million to pay for improvements to public safety facilities, the library, the City Hall complex and the public works-parks maintenance facility.

``I felt definitely (before the election) that the four that passed would pass and the other two were in doubt,`` Don Zyto, president of the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday. ``I think the people felt we need these (four issues) now and the others can wait.``

Earlier this year, Zyto asked the City Council to place the civic center question on the ballot after the council had decided to exclude the proposal from the referendum package.

``At the time, I said give the voters a chance to say `yes` or `no.` The good thing is, so many said yes,`` Zyto said.

About 22 percent, or 5,125, of the city`s 23,213 registered voters participated in the election Tuesday, in which Councilman Nick Cassandra was chosen mayor-elect over John Brophy.

The recreation bond issue question failed by a margin of 307 votes, while the civic center failed by 214 votes.

Councilman Jim Warnke said he was surprised by the failure of the recreation package, but not by the outcome of the civic center question.

``It was a clear indication of what the people wanted,`` Warnke said. ``The unfortunate thing about the election is that only 20 percent of the people voted. I`m really sad about the apathy of the people.``

Mayor Carl Zimmerman also said he thinks the voters decided to go for the items with a higher priority first and will support the other issues at a later time.

``Supporters of the (proposals that failed) probably have hopes of getting it at a later date,`` Zimmerman said. ``It was a very close election. If we had a better turnout, it might have been different.

``Probably, most people are satisfied (with the results). I`m satisfied. It wouldn`t do any good to be dissatisfied at this point,`` Zimmerman said.

Dee Zibelli, chairman of the North Boynton Community Improvmenent Association, said the referendum results held only one surprise for her: the failure of the two questions by close rather than wide margins.